Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner went along to Zest in Upperthorpe, Sheffield on Friday, 18 March to present them with a grant cheque for £15,000,

The funding is part of the Commissioner’s 2015/16 Grant funding scheme and is the final visit to grant recipients for this year.

Zest are housed in a listed building in the heart of Upperthorpe and deliver a wide range of services to the community  – employment support, leisure and recreation, health and children and young peoples activities.  They serve the local populations of Netherthorpe, Upperthorpe, and Langsett.

Tessa Harrison from Zest said: “The £15,000 funding provided by the Commissioner has allowed us to engage more with the young people in the community.  We have run a 38 week diversionary activity programme including art workshops, reward trips including trampolining and weekly football training sessions alongside the Sheffield United Kicks programme. The funding has created further opportunities for young people to participate in activities both within their community and with young people from across the City.

“We are very grateful to the Commissioner for the grant funding and the opportunity to increase our support and work with young people in the area especially concerning anti-social behaviour and those most at risk in our community.”

Dr Billings said: “I enjoyed the visit to Zest and welcome their commitment to helping residents in this more deprived part of Sheffield.  The work they do in engaging with young people in the area makes a big contribution towards creating a cohesive community.

“I hope this funding will allow them to continue their valuable work which helps reduce crime and anti-social behaviour by encouraging more positive lifestyles.”

For more information on Zest please see www.zestcommunity.co.uk